Thousands of pounds of money set aside for Binstead residents devastated by severe flooding is still to be allocated more than a year on, it's been revealed.
And many homeowners in the village, who "live in constant fear of it happening again", say they're still none the wiser as to what measures are being taken to protect properties.
But there may be light at the end of the tunnel after the Binstead and Fishbourne ward councillor promised "a warehouse of weapons" is ready to go.
Between 40mm and 50mm of rain fell on the Island in July 2021, as residents used makeshift fences, buckets, brooms and sandbags to save their homes from going underwater.
LIVE: Oliver Dyer’s in Binstead as firefighters battle flooding
Posted by Isle of Wight Radio on Sunday, July 25, 2021
Similarly to events in 2013, Binstead was one of the worst affected areas. Firefighters were called to pump water from the roads and properties, as Isle of Wight Radio reported at the time.
In the aftermath of the devastation a campaign to secure funding was successfully led by Cllr Ian Dore. In February this year, around £170,000 of 'ring-fenced' 'flood money' was allocated from the council's capital budget to mitigate future risks in the village.
An investigation, known as a Section 19 report (S19), was also launched into the floods, but since then, progress has been slow. A so-called lack of action has even prompted some residents to make their own flood defences.
Now, a year later, it can be revealed the report has been finalised and additional funding has been secured from the Environment Agency (EA).
The Isle of Wight Council said agencies will engage with the local community "in the next month or so".
Praising "hero" residents for their patience, Cllr Dore admitted the investigation has "taken time" but said it's better to do it "as thoroughly as possible, rather than jumping the gun."
He told Isle of Wight Radio:
"I am very pleased to say the S19 report and recent additional investigations, provide us with the information we need to move forward.
"Thanks to James Brewer, I was able to use that report at a time when it was in draft form; to help secure funding for priority works that had been identified within it. So, the input from residents into the S19 has really paid off. You simply can’t beat the mark one eyeball!
"Since the tragedy in July last year, this has been my top priority in the Ward and along with the officers and associated agencies who have pulled out the stops, it's progressed extremely well. It takes time but it’s better to do it as thoroughly as possible, getting the best evidence you can, rather than jumping the gun.
"As it stands now, we have a ‘warehouse of weapons’ available to us in the fight to prevent future flooding, plus the yackers to pay for them.
"Deployment of the most appropriate assets is the next discussion, and this will involve the community directly. Following that, the physical work can be shaped up and put into play."
The Isle of Wight Council said it "continues to take a multi-agency approach" and is working closely with both Southern Water and the Environment Agency (EA).
Among the measures previously discussed, include water tanks to store excess floodwater and rain gardens, which would be used to channel water under the soil.
A council spokesperson said:
“This includes partnership working through Southern Water’s Storm Overflow Task Force, for which the Isle of Wight is one of five pathfinder projects across the country.
“Additional grant funding to help inform potential solutions for Binstead has been secured from the EA as part of this partnership."
The final version of the S19 report is expected to be published shortly.
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